Great expectations for 5th ranked Trojans

November 27, 2017

STC fans were treated to the annual pre-season sneak peek for the 2017-18 Wrestling season. The STC Intersquad Scrimmage was held under the spotlight on Tuesday, Nov. 21 in the STC Round House.

Fans watched as State qualifying returners went head to head along with seeing what is to come in future years with several freshmen taking to the mat. The matches while competitive, also had a good nature about them.

The night began with two freshmen, Brody Chyma and Brady Knode. Chyma escaped with a 4-2 win. Next was freshman Brayden Smith who topped senior Adrian Nunez 7-1. Ed Hemby got a win in overtime over Daniel Ochoa. Senior State Place Winner, Brady Fritz pinned sophomore Garrett Arp. Mitch Knock beat Scott Garcia 7-1. Ruben Garcia held on for an 8-3 win over Nate Drummer. The dual of the night came when Class 2A 152 State Champion Isaac Judge and 5th place Colton Vest (138) took to the mats. Judge won the match 6-5. Freshman Vincent Branan made his first appearance at the high school level topping Dallas Horne 8-1. 2016 state qualifier Pedro Rodriguez beat Payton Vest 8-6. Uriel Martinez got a fall over Alex Campbell. Aaron Neave pinned Austyn Elsbury. Josh Thiessen pinned Aiden Waseskuk. Brayden Smith won by technical fall over Brady Knode. Dalton Rosenburg beat Cael Kellogg 3-1 and lastly Daniel Ochoa got a win over Mario Moncada.

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STC Head Varsity Coach, Nate Van Dyke, explains some new rules with the help of STC wrestlers Tanner Probasco and Brady Fritz.Chronicle Photo/Allison Graham

The Trojans return 10 starters to their roster including one State Champion, three State place winners and two State Qualifiers. Returners at projected weights for the season include two time state place winner Brady Fritz at 132, 2016 State Place winner Tanner Probasco at 138, two time state place winner Colton Vest at 145, 2017 State Champion Isaac Judge at 152, 2016 state qualifier Pedro Rodriguez at 160, returning starter Josh Thiessen at 170, State qualifier Dalton Rosenburg at 182, returning starter Cael Kellogg at 195, and returning starters Daniel Ochoa and Mario Moncada at 220/285.

At the Intersquad meet, head coach Nate Van Dyke spoke about some new rules regarding falls and back points around the outer circle of the mat.

The new rule released by the NFHS reads: Clarified the Definition of a Fall (5-11-1): This change will allow for fewer match interruptions. Provided the clock is running, a fall shall be able to be earned. Referees shall permit wrestling to continue as long as the offensive wrestler's supporting parts remain inbounds, and as long as no body part of the defensive wrestler goes off the mat.

The Trojans have their first dual on the road to Western Dubuque on Thursday, Nov. 30.